In April 2017, the UK water market will deregulate. This means that over 1.2 million eligible non- household customers will be able to choose their supplier of water and wastewater, instead of having their supplier designated dependent on location.
For all eligible businesses, the scheme will help to save money. The packages a customer receive will be flexible; not being tied to a standard billing system, an energy adviser can tailor the contact to fit the business as one package really doesn’t fit all.
Deregulation will also hold benefits for the environment. A more efficient use of water means less waste, and a reduction in carbon emissions. It was reported last week that we’ve reached a new era of ‘climate change reality’ as carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have reached a peak; one which it will not fall below for many generations.
If you’re looking to change your supplier next April, it will be an easy process. From start to finish it will take less than a month, but there are a few things you can do in preparation that will make the whole process quicker and easier for you.
You will find your eight digit Supply Point Identification Number (SPID) on your water bill. It is the reference number used to identify which services are supplied to your premises. The SPID may be different for your inbound water and wastewater so make sure you know both if this is applicable to you. At this stage, ensure all the information on your bill is correct; your meter details, business site address and the billing address. This is necessary as to change supplier you need to provide them with your SPID; if they can’t validate your site identity, the process will be delayed.
There are other things you should know; your annual usage, method of payment and the current bills and charges information. Keep in mind that you should be aware of your business premises’ rateable value as some price elements for your water are based on this. Knowing exactly what you’re currently receiving and how much you’re paying will help you know if you’re getting a good deal with switching, or if you’re actually ending up paying more.
Learning from the Scotland’s deregulation, knowing this information will avoid administrative nightmares, and make the process a lot smoother for both businesses and the water companies.
It’s important to be proactive; though deregulation doesn’t officially come into practice until April, the best deals will have been and gone by then. Get ahead of the game to ensure you have the opportunity to negotiate the best deal from your energy adviser. You will also be able to get accurate quotes ahead of time if the water supplier has correct information to base the estimation off, avoiding any surprises for you when you switch! On this note; as with any competitive tender, you should also ensure your credit rating is good as a poor rating could limit the suppliers you can switch to.
Using information gathered from water companies and businesses, it is expected that users can save 12% on their water bill due to deregulation. Some businesses stay with their old provider due to either not being aware of the changes, or because they don’t want the aggravation of switching. However, with benefits both in cost and improved customer service, simply know your details and be aware of your business needs to benefit from deregulation.
If you’d like to discuss water deregulation with any of our expert energy advisers, or enquire how you can prepare for the changes; don’t hesitate to contact us!